9 Things You Didn’t Know About the Starbucks Frappuccino
Updated: Dec. 15, 2021
If you're a Frappuccino fanatic, check out these little-known facts about the Starbucks Frappuccino.
The possibilities really are endless
The Starbucks Frappuccino is a line of iced, blended coffee drinks usually topped with whipped cream and flavored syrup. Basically, it’s a coffee milkshake (but not all of them contain coffee). Just like milkshakes, the Frappuccino flavor possibilities are endless. You can mix and match nearly every item in the store! Just check out this list of Frappuccinos on the Starbucks secret menu.
It started as an experiment
The Frappuccino all started with a creative barista in California with a blender. Dina Campion, a 20-year-old Starbucks employee, got permission from Starbucks headquarters to test out an iced blended coffee drink at her Los Angeles store. It quickly became a hit. Two years later, Starbucks launched the Frappuccino at every location in the US and Canada. The first two flavors were coffee and mocha.
Have your Starbucks and stick to keto, too! Check out these 14 keto Starbucks drinks to order.
Not all Frappuccinos contain coffee
Not a coffee fan? You can still enjoy a refreshing Frappuccino. The most popular coffee-free Frappuccinos are the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, the Strawberry Frappuccino, the Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino and the Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino (though this one does contain caffeine).
You can order affogato-style
If you want to sound like a chic Italiano, order your Frappuccino affogato-style. A barista pours a shot of espresso over your Frappuccino, and the hot espresso mingles with the icy Frappuccino to create creamy pockets of coffee. The finished drink has an enticing marbled effect.
They contain more sugar than you think
Most people know the Frappuccino is not exactly a health drink—but you might be surprised by just how many calories and sugar are in one. For example, a Venti (24 oz.) Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino has 590 calories; that’s more than a McDonald’s Big Mac! Not to mention 76 grams of sugar, equivalent to almost four full-size Snickers candy bars.
You can shave calories off your Frappuccino
One of the best ways to reduce calories is to order your Starbucks Frappuccino without whipped cream. You can also ask for nonfat milk (or non-dairy milk like almond or coconut milk) or sugar-free syrups. A quicker option is to request your Frappuccino to be made “light,” and you’ll automatically get sugar-free syrup, nonfat milk and no whipped cream.
You can order a Baby Yoda Frappuccino
There have been some truly wacky Frappuccino creations from both creative customers and official Starbucks flavor launches. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Baby Yoda Frappuccino: ask for a matcha green tea Frappuccino with caramel drizzle on the cup, whipped cream and more caramel syrup and caramel crunch topping. See how to order more limited edition Starbucks drinks, like the Birthday Cake Frappuccino.
There are international Frappuccino flavors
In China you can order a Red Bean Green Tea Frappuccino which contains sweetened whole kernels of red beans scooped into a Green Tea Frappuccino. The next time you’re in Japan, try the Hojicha Frappuccino. It’s made with Hojicha (a gently roasted Japanese green tea) and Earl Grey tea jelly.
Frappuccinos aren’t as popular as they used to be
In 2015, Frappuccino sales grew 17% over 2014. But by 2018, sales of the drink were down 3%. The decline in popularity is probably due to more health-conscious Starbucks customers. But don’t worry, the Frappuccino isn’t going anywhere. As of 2019 Frappuccino sales had plateaued; they’re not growing but they’re not declining, and the Frappuccino remains a Starbucks staple.
Up Next: Check out these 10 vegan Starbucks drinks to order if you’re plant-based.
